Andhra Police Probe Third Vehicle in Kurnool Bus Fire That Killed 20 Passengers

The Andhra Pradesh Police have launched an investigation into the possibility of a third vehicle’s involvement in the tragic Kurnool bus fire that claimed 20 lives. The deadly incident occurred when a Bengaluru-bound sleeper bus caught fire after running over a motorbike that had earlier met with an accident.

The accident took place in the early hours of October 24 near Chinna Tekuru village in Kurnool district. According to officials, the bus ran over the bike, which became trapped underneath the vehicle. The fuel tank of the motorbike burst open and ignited, triggering a massive blaze that quickly engulfed the bus.

Out of the 44 passengers on board, several managed to escape before the flames spread, but 20 people lost their lives in the inferno.

Skid Marks Indicate Possible Third Vehicle

Kurnool Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil said that skid marks at the accident site indicate that another vehicle may have struck the bike before the bus hit it.
“The difference in the skid mark position of the bike indicates that another vehicle could have hit it before the bus ran over it,” Patil told PTI.

Authorities are now working to determine whether this unidentified third vehicle played a role in triggering the chain of events that led to the deadly fire.

Smartphones and Batteries May Have Fueled the Blaze

Investigators also believe that a large consignment of smartphones and lithium batteries being carried on the bus may have intensified the fire, making it spread rapidly and reducing the chances of passenger rescue.

The Andhra Pradesh Police have collected forensic evidence and are analysing CCTV footage from nearby highways to trace any vehicles that could have been involved before the bus collided with the motorbike.

The incident has raised serious concerns over road safety, the transport of inflammable goods, and vehicle fire preparedness in long-distance buses operating across Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.